Tsai pans Ma over ECFA

PROTECT THE NATIONDPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said that President Ma Ying-jeou's mind was constantly lingering on thoughts of a motherland in a distant place

By Rich Chang and Ko Shu-ling / STAFF REPORTERS

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) would hear “the people’s angry shouts” on May 17 if he insists on signing an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China.

Tsai made the remark in a keynote speech she delivered at the Taiwan Citizen Conference on National Affairs convened by the DPP and the Taiwan Solidarity Union.

Tsai said it was a pity that Ma did not attend yesterday’s meeting, which focused on various issues related to the signing of an ECFA, and that he had missed a chance to listen to the voice of the people and address concerns about inking an ECFA with China.

“I will not meet Ma if a real debate on signing an ECFA and other national issues is not possible ... If Ma continues to ignore the voice of the people and continues to push the ECFA, people will be left with only one choice — to shout angrily on May 17 so Ma can hear their voices,” she said, referring to a demonstration scheduled to be held in Taipei by the DPP, pro-localization groups and groups representing traditional industries.

Noting that last week Ma led government officials in paying tribute to the Yen Emperor, Tsai said: “If the president’s mind is always lingering on thoughts of a motherland in a distant place, people have to worry if the president would protect the nation or whether Taiwan’s best interests will be put in jeopardy?”

Tsai said she would like to ask Ma three questions.

“Are Taiwan and China two countries, or two areas?” she asked.

Tsai said that Ma has not responded to Chinese President Hu Jintao’s (胡錦濤) remarks on Dec. 31 on the 30th anniversary of Beijing’s “Open letter to Taiwanese compatriots,” in which Hu said that Taiwan and China could discuss anything as long as the “one China” principle was recognized by both sides.

“Does that mean Ma has acquiesced to the ‘one China’ principle?” she asked.

“The third question,” Tsai said. “How can Ma engage with China and the international community without hurting the sovereignty of Taiwan in view of Ma’s insistence that the so-called ‘1992 consensus’ exists, a consensus that Beijing does not recognize?”

Tsai accused the Ma administration of failing to implement effective measures to address the recession. Instead, it relies on China as a way to resolve economic difficulties, all the while keeping quiet about the price to be paid as a result of Taiwan’s heavy dependence on China, she said.

Ma should apologize for the poor performance of his government and reshuffle the Cabinet, Tsai said.

At a separate setting yesterday, the Presidential Office expressed regret over Tsai’s rejection of Ma’s invitation to meet.

Presidential Office Spokesman Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦) said Ma invited Tsai because he hoped both the ruling and opposition parties could put aside their differences and work for the well-being of the people.

“There are no differences that cannot be resolved. There is no political party that cannot cooperate,” Wang said. “If both the ruling and opposition parties could start a dialogue and develop a relationship that is both competitive and cooperative, it would herald a new future for Taiwan’s democracy.”